Seniors angry, frustrated, fearing the lack of facilities when hospital makes changeover.

Seniors and others upset with the impending closure of the transitional care unit at Henry Mayo Newhall MemorialHospital plan on gathering in front of City Hall at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The closure, which the hospital says is needed to provide additional medical-surgical beds, will effectively eliminate local skilled nursing for the valley’s 4,000 seniors.

Dr. Gene Dorio, a senior advocate and on staff at HMNMH, said that the closure creates a serious emergency for the senior population of Santa Clarita.

“We’re at least a year to a year-and-a-half from having another TCU facility in this area,” he said. “The seniors are very upset, they’re mad and fearful of what will happen to them.”

Helen Johnson, who makes daily visits to friends at the center, said that the closure will leave many high and dry.

“I have a friend who is 96 years old,” she said. “She has a fractured pelvis and will be one of the last ones to leave. She needs help, she needs therapy to get her back on her feet, but she cannot drive to the San Fernando Valley.”

Johnson said she and many others with family and friends in the TCU could not make a daily trip to the valley because of transportation challenges, including rising gas prices.

“What are we going to do?” she asked.

Participants in the rally plan on moving their protest into the City Council chambers at 6 p.m. to ask the City Council for help. Dorio said that some former City Council members may speak on the seniors’ behalf, but was reluctant to share any names.

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